Southampton complete permanent signing of George Long from Norwich

Southampton have confirmed the permanent acquisition of goalkeeper George Long. The 32-year-old has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2028.

This transfer follows a season-long loan spell at St Mary’s, which Long completed while playing for Norwich City. The goalkeeper was a consistent presence within the Saints' goalkeeping unit throughout the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign. While he was frequently included in matchday squads, his primary first-team involvement occurred in the Emirates FA Cup. During that competition, he featured in a victory over Leicester that helped the club advance toward the semi-finals.

Long brings extensive experience to the squad, having participated in more than 300 professional matches in English football. His career has included spells at several clubs, such as Sheffield United, Hull City, Millwall, and Norwich City. This depth of experience is intended to support the club's defensive unit in the coming seasons.

Group Technical Director Johannes Spors highlighted the importance of the goalkeeper's presence at the training ground. Spors noted that Long's professionalism is a vital factor in maintaining high standards at Staplewood on a daily basis. The director expressed satisfaction that the player has decided to remain with the team on a permanent basis.

Speaking on the new deal, Long said he was delighted to make the move permanent after his time on loan. He mentioned that he is excited about the upcoming years and expressed his hope that the club can achieve promotion next season, completing the objectives that were not met during the previous campaign.